Dealing with Difference

Religious Education and the Challenge of Democracy in Pakistan

Bibliographic Data

ID3619974
AuthorsMatthew J Nelson (0000-0002-1857-1317, SOAS University of London, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume43
Issue3
Pages591-618
Publication date2009-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueModern Asian Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0026-749X • E-ISSN: 1469-8099
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0026749x07003423
OpenAlexW2138974669
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited23

When is a modern religious education also a modern democratic education? Drawing on research conducted in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (2003-2005), this question is addressed with reference to the views of those who draw upon the resources of local maktabs and madrasas to provide their children with religious and, more specifically, Islamic instruction. Within this group-a group that, I argue, constitutes a clear majority in Pakistan-concerns about religious and sectarian diversity are given special attention. Most parents, stressing the importance of religious unity, conformity, and consensus, believe it's better to ignore these differences 'for the sake of the nation.' For those with an interest in combining the terms of Islam, Islamic education, and democracy, however, I argue that these differences cannot be ignored; instead, they must be acknowledged and engaged

Conformity · Democracy · Diversity (politics · Ethnology · Islam · Islamic Education · Political science · Politics · Religious diversity · Religious education · Social science · Sociology · Theology · Education and Islamic Studies · Law · Philosophy · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Religious Education and Schools

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub